Georgina Parker1, David Lie2, Dan J Siskind2, Melinda Martin-Khan3, Beverly Raphael4, David Crompton2, Steve Kisely2. 1. Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital,Brisbane,Queensland,Australia. 2. Rehabilitation Academic Clinical Unit,Metro South Division of Mental Health Service,Brisbane,Queensland,Australia. 3. School of Medicine,The University of Queensland,Brisbane,Queensland,Australia. 4. School of Medicine,University of Western Sydney,Sydney,New South Wales,Australia.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Natural disasters affect the health and well-being of adults throughout the world. There is some debate in the literature as to whether older persons have increased risk of mental health outcomes after exposure to natural disasters when compared with younger adults. To date, no systematic review has evaluated this. We aimed to synthesize the available evidence on the impact of natural disasters on the mental health and psychological distress experienced by older adults. DESIGN: A meta-analysis was conducted on papers identified through a systematic review. The primary outcomes measured were post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, anxiety disorders, adjustment disorder, and psychological distress. RESULTS: We identified six papers with sufficient data for a random effects meta-analysis. Older adults were 2.11 times more likely to experience PTSD symptoms and 1.73 more likely to develop adjustment disorder when exposed to natural disasters when compared with younger adults. CONCLUSIONS: Given the global rise in the number of older adults affected by natural disasters, mental health services need to be prepared to meet their needs following natural disasters, particularly around the early detection and management of PTSD.
BACKGROUND: Natural disasters affect the health and well-being of adults throughout the world. There is some debate in the literature as to whether older persons have increased risk of mental health outcomes after exposure to natural disasters when compared with younger adults. To date, no systematic review has evaluated this. We aimed to synthesize the available evidence on the impact of natural disasters on the mental health and psychological distress experienced by older adults. DESIGN: A meta-analysis was conducted on papers identified through a systematic review. The primary outcomes measured were post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, anxiety disorders, adjustment disorder, and psychological distress. RESULTS: We identified six papers with sufficient data for a random effects meta-analysis. Older adults were 2.11 times more likely to experience PTSD symptoms and 1.73 more likely to develop adjustment disorder when exposed to natural disasters when compared with younger adults. CONCLUSIONS: Given the global rise in the number of older adults affected by natural disasters, mental health services need to be prepared to meet their needs following natural disasters, particularly around the early detection and management of PTSD.
Authors: Oliver Gruebner; Sarah R Lowe; Melissa Tracy; Spruha Joshi; Magdalena Cerdá; Fran H Norris; S V Subramanian; Sandro Galea Journal: Sci Rep Date: 2016-08-25 Impact factor: 4.379